Younghusbands cut ties with Meralco to join Davao Aguilas

Football siblings James and Phil Younghusband are set to move to the Davao Aguilas, ending their 6-year stint with the Meralco Sparks.

The transfer, which will be effective on the next matchday of the Philippine Football League, came after the Aguilas signed Azkals players Jason de Jong, Simone Rota and Matt Hartmann.

Brothers James (left) and Phil Younghusband.

The Younghusbands have been playing for Meralco since 2011, leading the sparks to a UFL Cup title win in 2013 and the PFF national club championship in 2015.

The Meralco team management said it tried its best to keep the Fil-Brit football stars.

“It is with great sadness that FC Meralco Manila announces today (Saturday) that James Younghusband and Phil Younghusband will be leaving the club and transferring to Davao Aguilas FC during the current PFL transfer window,” the management said in a statement posted on Facebook.

“We made an earnest attempt to keep James and Phil in Manila with an offer of a contract extension. But the brothers elected to pursue this opportunity with Davao. They asked for a release from their current contract and we have granted it, allowing them to sign with the Aguilas.”